Wednesday, January 09, 2008

My So Called Nervous Breakdown--Averted!

Being that I am basically a lemming at heart, I figured I would try my hand at the scarf that is taking the nation by storm. I am of course referring to My So Called Scarf, a winning project that has been undertaken by no less that 1,779 knitters on Ravelry. I told myself that if 1,779 people can do it, why can't I? And since I would place my knitting i.q. squarely within the respectable B+ range, I figured that I would be safe in assuming that I could tackle this pattern without too much fuss.Well, I futzed around with the directions for an hour or so trying to comprehend the first row, but to no avail. I even sent the Darling of the room because he was trying to talk to me about how much he loves Jack Lemmon (a subject for which I would normally be very, very game) and I simply couldn't focus on the task at hand. The directions are simple and clear yet I just wasn't grasping their meaning. Scratching my head I went back over to Ravelry and looked at the icons of the people who had successfully completed the pattern. They ranged in gender, age, and geographical location and didn't seem like they looked THAT much smarter than me. Ever more frustrated and peeved, I snooped around some more and found links to what would turn out to be my salvation: Youtube. Several knitters had actually posted video tutorials to the pattern, and after no less than 10 minutes I was well on my way. Hip Hip Hooray!Youtube: it's not just for Kelly videos anymore but a bona fide knitting resource. Who knew? Maybe you did--do you have any particularly helpful Youtube tutorials to share ?

I did the scarf in Dream in Color Classy (Ruby River), a recently acquired yarn that I am just absolutely loving the living daylights out of despite its ridiculous, and I mean RIDICULOUS name. Classy? Tacky. Right? Anyway, the variation in the color is subtle and produced a rich, textured garment. The yarn is also soft and not even slightly splitty. If you haven't tried it, I urge you to do so asap, despite the unfortunate name.The SpecsPattern: My So-Called ScarfYarn: Dream in Color Classy, Ruby River, .65 of a skeinNeedles: size 9Mods: I only cast on 22 sts as I was in the mood for a skinny scarf.

Should I be concerned that during our fashion shoot Tween Thing noted that "...all I need are some pumps and a Marc Jacobs skirt and I'm ready for the business world!"? At her age I dare say I was still in Levis husky cords and (very unflattering) rugby shirts and had no clue about designers and fashion. The next couple of years might indeed bring on that nervous breakdown I have just so deftly avoided...Please stay tuned for the last gasp of I'm-on-break-from-school knitting, which will include a Jo Sharp Silk Road Aran Tweed Drive-Thru extravaganza, copycat knitting (meaning that whatever Babs does I have to do, too--she has that effect on people), and an upcoming series of top-secret knitted gifts for a very special Bald Soprano Tenor...

Don't feel bad - someone brought it to me, thinking I'm some sort of expert knitter asking, "Does this pattern make sense to you?" I looked at it and sort of mumbled something and said I thought I had that stitch pattern in another book... It's so pretty!

Hi -I'm interested in the Schaefer Anne that you posted on Destash but I can't find your contact info (forgive me, it's been a long day). If it's still available, please shoot me an email: unpastisATdvtvDOTcom

I don't comment nearly often enough on your gorgeous knits -- for which I'm sorry -- but I'll delurk long enough to tell you that this is downright luscious in every aspect. I hadn't heard of My So-Called Scarf, so thanks for the intel! Might just give me an excuse to buy some new yarn and further procrastinate on the Neverending Sweater. :)

Love the scarf - it was tricky for me to figure out too. I made one for my sister and then she promptly asked me if I would make one for her sister-in-law - um, the first one made my eyes bleed with monotony - no thank you. But it sure is a great look when its done. Maybe I am ready to get back on that horse again.

I don't think I'd ever wanted to knit that pattern until I saw these FO pictures! That colorway has just the right amount of varigation for the pattern - good choice! And yet another item joins my ravelry queue...

Beautiful yarn and colour. I knit half this scarf before I frogged it, only because the yarn didn't look right. May try again with this yarn though. The pattern does give you pause,but follow without thinking too much and it works.

If it were me, I'd be much more concerned about the "ready for the business world" part of the comment. Is she getting ready to kick you out of the nest? (My son once asked me when I was going to get "a real job." Note that he only asked once.)

you are just crankin' out projects in record time over there. i was just cracking up (like usual) at your: they don't look THAT much smarter than me. oh. you are too funny. it really does look complicated!that colorway is so up miss libbys alley. i will have to keep it in mind.and don't be modest.....you were on your way to becoming a queen when you were her age. i am sure you were sporting your finest gloria vanderbilt cords!!! :)

Looks fantastic. I haven't seen many versions of this scarf I really like, but this is enough to really make me think about doing it in the future. (I like to think of it ironically, i.e., "Stay classy, San Diego." But then there's Smooshy, which is worse in my book.)

Why weren't there YouTube video tutorials around when I knit it last year? I swear I've never been so frustrated trying to figure out a pattern either. Well, except for the clog pattern from Stitch Diva Studios. That pattern is evil!